GAINESVILLE, Fla. – We have just 35 days until the 2025 Florida Gators softball season kicks off on Feb. 6 at home vs. North Florida. It's time to introduce our fourth newcomer in our Meet the Gators series, Taylor Shumaker.
Shumaker is a freshman outfielder from Fullerton, Calif. She will wear No. 21 for the Orange & Blue this season.
Along with teammate Katelynn Oxley, Shumaker was named to the 2024 MaxPreps All-America Team in June after a standout high school career.
In her senior season at Esperanza High School, the lefty 5-foot-9 hitter batted .620, tallying 49 hits, 37 RBI, 40 runs, 18 home runs and 12 doubles over 25 games.
In addition to softball, she was on the flag football team as a senior, earning first team all-county and second team all-league honors. She played on defense as a safety and linebacker and on offense as a wide receiver.
Shumaker played travel ball for OC Batbusters Stith, helping them to an Alliance Fastpitch National Championship title in 2023. Individually, she earned Alliance Fastpitch All-Star honors in 2024.
Her favorite Florida softball player is Amanda Lorenz, who's style of play she has been compared to during her career.
Not only are they both outfielders from California, but both Shumaker and Lorenz played for the same travel team and for the same coach, Mike Stith.
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